The United Nations Mission in Colombia turns into a new mission aimed at verification

• The MNUC, in which 18 Spanish observers have participated, carries out the transfer of authority to the new United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia

The United Nations Mission in Colombia (MNUC) has ended after 15 months of intense work and has given way to the new United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia.   

The MNUC was structured around a tripartite monitoring and verification mechanism, in which members of the Colombian government, UN personnel and FARC guerrillas have worked together during the period from 25 June 2016 to 25 September 2017.

During this time, the MNUC has deployed 450 international observers to one national headquarters, nine regional headquarters and 26 local offices, distributed throughout the country. Spain has contributed 18 observers, of whom 14 belong to the Ministry of Defence and the other four to the Ministry of the Interior.

The main phases of the mission were the initial deployment at the national headquarters in Bogotá on 25 June 2016, the deployment of the first observers in local headquarters in December 2016, the registration of guerrillas and their weapons, the removal of all weapons to an arms depot located in Bogotá, and finally their destruction. With the scrap metal obtained from the destroyed weapons the Colombian government will build monuments for peace.

 "The mission has been tough, as logistical conditions are very limited in a country with extreme geographical conditions and where security is a pending issue," says the head of the Spanish team, Colonel Rubiella. "However, the Spanish observers, in addition to contributing to making an unprecedented historical event happen, have stood out for their initiative and ability, occupying very important places in the structure of the mission and helping to increase our country's prestige and show Spain's support for the Colombian government.

It can be said that this is one of the UN missions that have ended successfully and in a short space of time.

The new Verification Mission will continue to enjoy Spanish support, with a team of six observers, three from the Ministry of Defence and another three from the Ministry of the Interior.